LIFE AS A SINGLE

One of the great things about Independence Day, I love, love, love summer barbecues and F.A.M.I.LY!  Everyone loves great food, shish kabobs, ribs, potato salad, mussels, and desserts! Oh, la, la!  Am I making you hungry?  Great food, makes for a fabulous conversation and celebration!

Reflecting on my college days, I learned so much during this holiday what family and real friendship meant. For better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off. Pr 27:10

We learn F.A.M.I.L.Y.
Food
Arms
Memories
Intimacy
Love
Yahweh

The realization that family is more than natural blood relatives you knew for 18 years.  F.A.M.I.L.Y. are those that feed your soul when your were hungry (surrogate families).  People that wrapped arms around you because they could see depths of you. Memories surrounding moments of laughter, tears, and nursing you when you were sick.  F.A.M.I.L.Y., folks that we could emotionally be intimate with your thoughts AND they still loved you! Yes that is Yahweh!

The family of God has no language, race, gender, political agenda, but love is the language.  Politics, race, gender, or financial status cannot save your sick child, but a family will be there.  When life happens good or bad, we see the rare treasures in the earth God has placed in our lives.  Priceless treasures are discovered in people that don't look like you.

On this Independence Day, recalling some of the most profound men in our history John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were F.A.M.I.L.Y.  Key contributors to our nation's foundation, friends forged by circumstances, philanthropists, Presidents in our American history. Their lives were so intertwined that they both died on the same day fifty years after the birth of the Declaration of Independence.  

When we understand God's love we realize, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but principalities, rulers of the darkness of this world.  My friend, fire up the grill, turn on some good music, and you'll be shocked who you thought were foes become friends!

May God give you vision, confidence in who you are, faith to purchase what you need, and love to conquer all. Enjoy the holiday and be abundantly blessed.  Remember to tell those you call F.A.M.I.L.Y. how much you love and appreciate them.